BUS CHAOS: Bus Eireann didn't factor in students returning to college!

Bus Eireann has blamed a "significant upsurge in estimated demand with students returning to college" and an "unexpected 11% of driving staff reporting ill last week" as being the main reasons for the chaos caused for Meath commuters earlier this week.

In correspondence with Peadar Toibin TD the company apologised to customers who were inconvenienced.

A spokespoerson said "As you are aware a major new timetable commenced along the M3 corridor last Sunday resulting in the corridor being broken into four distinct services (109, 109A, 109X and NX). 

These services were re-aligned to provide greatly increased frequency between Meath and Dublin.
Due to unforeseen operational difficulties earlier in the week some trips on the above corridor did not operate as scheduled. These difficulties were caused by a number of factors, some of which include:

- Major realignment of services on the N2/M3 corridor to provide greater frequency along with the introduction of a new express service from Navan to Dublin & return
- Optimisation of rosters in line with Labour Court recommendation (changes to driver duties to ensure more efficient driving duties)
- Significant upsurge in estimated demand with students returning to college etc
- 11% of driving staff required for this service delivery reported in ill last week

"Together these caused problems earlier in the week, but we are working hard to rectify the situation."

Bus Éireann state they are closely monitoring services and carrying out a daily audit to ensure that as near 100% as possible are delivered. Extra resources are also being re-deployed for service provision.